Remote control device usage detection based on power consumption

• US 10,204,511 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2017
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caavo Inc
• Original Assignee: Caavo Inc
• Inventors: Einaudi, Andrew E., Marino, Nino V., Katiyar, Pankaj Ramesh Chandra, Aggarwal, Ashish D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brian E
• Application Number:
  US15/476,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20170287323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/12 Power saving techniques of remote control or controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for remote control device usage detection. A smart battery may be inserted into a remote control device. The smart battery provides power to the remote control device as well as monitors the power consumption when a particular one or more interface elements of the remote control is interacted with by an end user. The power consumption information is transmitted to a receiver, which may identify the remote control device and/or the interface element(s) that has been interacted with based on the received data.

Claims

1. A receiver, comprising:

an antenna configured to receive data from a smart battery, the received data comprising at least one of a voltage level or information based on the voltage level; and

control logic that is configured to;

compare the received data with a plurality of profiles, each of the profiles being associated with a different remote control device or a different interface element of a remote control device, and

based on an identification of a match between the received data and one of the profiles in the plurality of profiles, identify at least one of a remote control device that is paired with the smart battery or an interface element of the remote control device that has been interacted with.

2. The receiver of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory configured to store the plurality of profiles.

3. The receiver of claim 2, wherein the memory is further configured to obtain profile data from one or more sources, wherein the obtained profile data facilitates one or more of:

a modification of one or more profiles of the plurality of profiles;

a deletion of one or more profiles of the plurality of profiles; and

an addition to the plurality of profiles.

4. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the received data further comprises acceleration information regarding movement of the paired remote control.

5. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the control logic is further configured to determine a state of a device that was remotely controlled by the identified remote control device.

6. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the control logic is further configured to effect a change to a state of a device that was remotely controlled by the identified remote control device based on the interface element of the remote control device that has been interacted with.

7. A method in a receiver, comprising:

receiving data from a smart battery, the received data comprising at least one of a voltage level or information based on the voltage level;

comparing the received data with a plurality of profiles, each of the profiles being associated with a different remote control device or a different interface element of a remote control device; and

based on an identification of a match between the received data and one of the profiles in the plurality of profiles, identifying at least one of a remote control device that is paired with the smart battery or an interface element of the remote control device that has been interacted with.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

storing the plurality of profiles.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining profile data from one or more sources, wherein the obtained profile data facilitates one or more of;

a modification of one or more profiles of the plurality of profiles;

a deletion of one or more profiles of the plurality of profiles; and

an addition to the plurality of profiles.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the received data further comprises acceleration information regarding movement of the paired remote control.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

determining a state of a device that was remotely controlled by the identified remote control device.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

effecting a change to a state of a device that was remotely controlled by the identified remote control device based on the interface element of the remote control device that has been interacted with.